329PD high pressure indications

[Rocket-scientist]

I recently purchased a 329PD. It's my first Smith, 1st DA revolver, but based on how much I like it it won't be my last! I was recently faced with an ammo shortage so I put together some loads with what I had laying around. Load was 10 grains Unique, meister bullet 240 grain SWC, and Winchester large pistol primer at 1.60 OAL. When shot these loads were difficult to eject and 2 showed gas leakage at the primer. I fired some loads at the same time that were the same bullet, primer, case and length but charged with 21 grains of 2400 (leftovers from my last reloading session) with no issues and great accuracy.

I thought, "hey this load isn't good, don't do it again" and went home. Today I was shooting my 7.5 inch super black hawk hunter and had some leftovers of the Unique loads and tried them out. Very accurate, low recoil, easy to eject and no signs of primer leakage. Same load, same lot, different gun.

Ive read that the titanium cylinder can't be machined as smooth as steel but the heavy loads of 2400 ejected easily so I don't think that's it, plus it wouldn't explain the primer leakage. I guess the 329 may have a tighter forcing cone or smaller cylinder gap but then the exact same bullet over 2400 had no problems...

Any ideas on why this load showed high pressure in the pistol? Either way I'm sticking to old reliable loads from now on (21 grains 2400-240 grain LSWC-WLP primer) and the weak skin on the web of my shooting thumb will get tougher

 

[ArchAngelCD]

You are seeing why reloaders say "this load is safe in my revolver" because there are differences that can raise the pressures. One guess would be a tight forcing cone on the M329 but it could be almost anything...

 

[Skip Sackett]

TOUGHEN UP JARHEAD! HAHAHA

I have a thought about the loads. Maybe, maybe not the reasons, but a thought nonetheless.

Pressure, chamber size, cylinder alloy characteristics.

Maybe, and I am saying this because I am not a metallurgist, the alloy cylinder expands more for a given pressure. That would cause it to grow when the rounds were fired and try to go back to the original size afterwards, clamping down on the cases more. The slower powders always give less pressure and that is why you are not seeing the same problem with the 2400 loads. Just a thought.

The other explanation is just as AA has said above: Every gun is an individual.

 

[dla]

I recently purchased a 329PD. It's my first Smith, 1st DA revolver, but based on how much I like it it won't be my last! I was recently faced with an ammo shortage so I put together some loads with what I had laying around. Load was 10 grains Unique, meister bullet 240 grain SWC, and Winchester large pistol primer at 1.60 OAL. When shot these loads were difficult to eject and 2 showed gas leakage at the primer. I fired some loads at the same time that were the same bullet, primer, case and length but charged with 21 grains of 2400 (leftovers from my last reloading session) with no issues and great accuracy.

I thought, "hey this load isn't good, don't do it again" and went home. Today I was shooting my 7.5 inch super black hawk hunter and had some leftovers of the Unique loads and tried them out. Very accurate, low recoil, easy to eject and no signs of primer leakage. Same load, same lot, different gun.

Ive read that the titanium cylinder can't be machined as smooth as steel but the heavy loads of 2400 ejected easily so I don't think that's it, plus it wouldn't explain the primer leakage. I guess the 329 may have a tighter forcing cone or smaller cylinder gap but then the exact same bullet over 2400 had no problems...

Any ideas on why this load showed high pressure in the pistol? Either way I'm sticking to old reliable loads from now on (21 grains 2400-240 grain LSWC-WLP primer) and the weak skin on the web of my shooting thumb will get tougher

The cylinders will crud up in a hurry. A cruddy cylinder will be hard to eject. Unique is a cruddy powder. My guess is that you are NOT experiencing over-pressure with the Unique load.

The leaking primer is probably due to the brass, which I'm guessing is Remington. For whatever reason, Remington produced a lot of soft brass. Folks complain a lot about it on the various gun forums.

The 2400 load is a real 44mag load. You'll enjoy shooting it more if you have the proper grip on the revolver.

Here is some 329pd-specific information you might find helpful.

 

[44Steve]

Hi, Steve here. I have a 329PD, and have had ejecting problems. I was using hot 2400 loads . I backed off a little and it ejected good . i all so have had lines on the cylinder from the cylinder touching the top strap. I have read this a couple of magazines and on a forum. They all said the same thing ,hot loads ,not exceeding maxium load recomendations.I Use 19.2 of 2400 .The hot load was 22.2 of 2400. Good reason to keep your reloading manuels up to date. Powder consistency changes over years.